Garment-stretcher.



No. 666,620. Patented Feb. 26, 1am.

n. H. BISHOP & w. DAWSON. GARMENT STRETGHER.

, (Application filed Sept. 13, 1900.) (No Model.)

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No. 668,620. Patented Feb. 26, I90]. 5. (BISHOP & E. w DAWSON.

GARMENT STRETCHEB. (Apph It on filed Sept 18 1900) l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT H. BISHOP AND EDMUND WILLIAM DAWSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND; SAID BISHOP ASSIGNOR TO SAID DAWSON.

GARM ENT-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,620, dated February 26, 1901.

Application filed September 18, 1900. Serial No. 29,904. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that we, ROBERT HoDcns BISH- OP and EDMUND WILLIAM DAWSON, subjects of the Queen of GreatBritain and Ireland, and residents of London, England, have invented certain Improved Apparatus for Pressing and Stretching Garments and Fabrics, (for which we have filed an application for British Patent No. 14,693, dated August 16, 1900,) of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to apparatus adapted to perform the respective functions of pressing and of stretching trousers and other garments, fabrics, and the like (hereinafter referred to as garments and characterized by being adapted to perform both such functions by spring operating devices serving, respectively, to press and to stretch the garment and to perform either of such functions at will.

On the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an upper view of one arrangement of the apparatus, showing it as set to perform its stretching function. Fig. 2 represents an under view of the same arrangement, showing it as set to perform its pressing function. Fig. 3 represents an upper view of another arrangement of the apparatus, showing it as set to perform its stretching function. Fig. 4 represents an under view of the same arrangement, showing it as set to perform its pressing function; and Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of other arrangements of the apparatus.

The apparatus is characterized by a pair of independent separable coacting boards a I), combined both with spring operating means a of clamping the same together at different locations toward their ends, so as to press the garmentw placed between them with a spring acting pressure and with spring operating means 01 of stretching the garment when held by one only of the pressing devices 0, the pressing devices being so arranged as to be independent in actuation and operation, so that when both thereof are in operation, Figs. 2 and 4, they serve to press the boards evenly together and the garment between them, and when only one thereof is in operation, Figs. 1 and 3, it serves to-press the boards together only at one part and to hold the garment between the boards only at such part, so enabling the garment to be stretched between such part and the part at which it is held by the stretching device.

The under board a, is adapted to carry both the spring pressing and the spring stretching devices 0 d, so as to permit of theupper board I) being readily applied to its operating position in relation to the lower board and wholly removed therefrom and of the garment being readily adjusted between the boards and of the spring pressing devices being readily set in and out of action independently of each other and also of the spring stretching device, which latter is adapted with means 6 0f keeping it out of operation when the pressing devices are both in operation or when otherwise required.

The pressing springs 0 may be applied transversely of the boards, Figs. 1 and 2, being hinged at c to one side of the lower board and adapted at c to engage with catches 0 at the other side of such board and to press on a bearing-plate 19 secured to the upper board between such parts 0 0 or they may be applied longitudinally of the boards, Figs. 3 and 4:, being hinged at c at one end to the sides of the lower board and adapted to engage with catches c projecting therefrom, and with bearing-spurs b projecting from the upper board intermediate of such hinged and catch parts c 0 so as to press the boards together.

The stretching action is effected by lower and upper separable rails d (1 arranged and guided endwise in relation to the boards a b by side rods (i projecting from the lower rail, engaging with guide-eyes (1 secured to the sides of the lower board and pushed from the boards with an evenly-distributed pressure by a spring or springs d when not held thereto by the device e.

The upper rail is removable from the lower rail to facilitate the placing and removal of the garment and can be clamped thereto to hold the garment by headed bolts (1 passing from the lower rail through the upper rail, and winged nuts 01 The lower rail is adapted to be held to the lower board by a slotted catch-plate e, hinged at e to the rail and adapted to engage with a catch a", projecting from the board, which enables the stretching device to be held out of action when it is required to press the garment, (which latter is effected by placing the garment smoothly between the boards a b and setting both pressing devices 6 in operation and the stretching device out of operation,) and also serves to allow of the stretching of the garment being regulated and graduated by enabling the lower rail to be held at any one of different distances from the lower board while the garment is being adjusted over the board and rail and is being secured between the pairs of boards and rails, respectively, by fastening one of the presser devices 0 and by screwing down the winged nuts (1 after which the catch 6 can be released to allow of the stretching to proceed.

Springs of other shapes than those represented in Figs. 1 to 4 may be used for performing the stated pressing and stretching functions, as represented by way of example in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein the springs d are held at one part d and are slotted and guided by bolts at another part or parts d What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Apparatus for pressing and stretching, trousers and other garments, fabrics and the like characterized by the cooperative combination of a pair of separable presser-boards, spring operating means for pressing the boards together independently applied to the boards at different locations toward their ends, a pair of separable holding-rails having means for clamping the same together to hold the garment at one part and means for guiding the rails in endway parallel relation to the presser-boards, springs for separating the stretcher-rails from the presser-boards in such endway relation when required to stretch the garment, and means for holding the stretcher-rails to the presser-boards out of operation, as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT H. BISHOP. EDMUND \VILLIAM DAWSON.

Witnesses:

CHARLES AUBREY DAY, ARTHUR WALTER DAY. 

